plant named ‘C-11-46-77-23’

A new and distinct Ilex verticillata cultivar named ‘C-11-46-77-23’ which is characterized by vigorous growth with strong, upright main stems with numerous lateral branches, with each bearing large vibrant yellow-orange berries that age to pale orange in subsequent weeks, borne along their entire length. The claimed plant propagates successfully by softwood stem cuttings and has proven to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations.

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Description

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Ilex verticillata.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Ilex verticillata disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘C-11-46-77-23’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Ilex verticillata, which has been given the denomination, ‘C-11-46-77-23’. Ilex verticillata, known commonly as winterberry, is a deciduous perennial that is widely cultivated for its ornate berries born along the lateral branches. The berries persist for many months through fall and winter, making it an ideal plant for ornamental landscaping in its hardiness range and also for the cut flower industry.

Parentage: The new cultivar ‘C-11-46-77-23’ is a seedling selection resulting from the open pollination of Ilex verticillata ‘B-46-77’ (not patented), the seed parent, and an undesignated male Ilex verticillata plant, the pollen parent. In 2014, seeds were harvested from ‘B-46-77’ which resulted in 363 seedlings. On May 22, 2015, the seedlings were transplanted into a field in Willow Creek, Calif. and grown to a mature size. From 2015 to 2017, these plants were evaluated for commercial production, based on criteria such as growth habit and fruiting habit. On Aug. 26, 2017, one plant was observed which exhibited an upright growth habit with a large number of very strong main stems, each with a high density of large, vibrant yellow-orange berries that age to pale orange in subsequent weeks, borne all along the lateral branches. The new plant was isolated and grown to a mature size to confirm the distinctness and stability of the characteristics initially observed. After further evaluation and confirmation of the desirable traits, the claimed plant was finally selected for commercialization in December of 2017 and given the breeder denomination, ‘C-11-46-77-23’.

Asexual Reproduction: On Sep. 12, 2017, ‘C-11-46-77-23’ was first asexually reproduced in Willow Creek, Calif. by way of softwood stem cuttings taken from one year old growth. The claimed plant was found to asexually reproduce in uniform and stable manner and three successive cycles of vegetative propagation have proven to be true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics have been repeatedly observed and represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Ilex verticillata cultivar ‘C-11-46-77-23’. These traits, in combination, distinguish ‘C-11-46-77-23’ as a new and distinct cultivar.

    • 1. ‘C-11-46-77-23’ exhibits excellent plant vigor and a fast rate of growth; and
    • 2. ‘C-11-46-77-23’ exhibits a large quantity of strong and upright main stems; and
    • 3. ‘C-11-46-77-23’ exhibits short lateral branches; and
    • 4. ‘C-11-46-77-23’ exhibits a large quantity of berries born along the entire length of the lateral branches, including the distalmost portion of the lateral branches usually devoid of berries in the species; and
    • 5. ‘C-11-46-77-23’ exhibits large, vibrant yellow-orange berries that age to pale orange in subsequent weeks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary two and a half year old field-grown ‘C-11-46-77-23’ plant in Willow Creek, Calif.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the exemplary mature foliage of ‘C-11-46-77-23’.

FIG. 3 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the exemplary berries of ‘C-11-46-77-23’.

 BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct variety of a Ilex verticillata known as ‘C-11-46-77-23’. Plant observations were made on field grown plants produced in Willow Creek, Calif. Unless indicated otherwise, the descriptions disclosed herein are based upon observations made of a mature ‘C-11-46-77-23’ plant, transplanted into a loamy clay field on Jun. 25, 2019, as a one-year-old rooted cutting grown in a 4 inch nursery pot. The plant was grown in full sun, and was provided a combination of overhead and drip irrigation. Fertilizer was regularly applied using a fertigation technique, and the plant was occasionally treated for mites when required. In March of 2020, the plant was pruned to 7 cm above soil level and have since been allowed to grow without further pruning. Observation data was recorded in the September of 2021.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, younger plants. ‘C-11-46-77-23’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may vary with variations in the environment such as season, temperature, light intensity, day length, cultural conditions and the like. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 1986 edition except where common terms of color are used.

A botanical description of ‘C-11-46-77-23’ and comparisons with the seed parent and most similar commercial variety known to the inventor are provided below.

  • General plant description:
      • Plant habit.—Deciduous perennial shrub with an upright growth habit and excellent plant vigor.
      • Height.—Approximately 140 cm.
      • Width.—Approximately 75 cm.
      • Environmental tolerances.—Hardy in US Hardiness Zones 3 through 9; high tolerance to wind and rain.
      • Pest and disease susceptibility or resistance.—Plants have not been observed to be susceptible or resistant to pathogens and pests common to Ilex verticillata.
      • Propagation.—Propagation is accomplished using softwood stem cuttings.
      • Time to develop roots.—Approximately 21 days, in a propagation house with bottom heat and an average ambient temperature of 25 degrees Celsius.
      • Crop time.—Approximately 5 weeks are needed to produce a fully rooted cutting; after transplanting young plants grown in four-inch nursery containers into a production field, fruit bearing stems can be harvested from the mature plants at the end of the second growing season.
  • Root system:
      • Description.—A network of larger primary roots and fine, fibrous lateral roots.
      • Rooting habit.—Freely branching, dense, and evenly distributed throughout the soil profile.
      • Color, primary roots.—Nearest to a mixture of greyed-yellow, greyed-orange, and greyed-brown; RHS 161A, 165A, and 199A.
      • Color, lateral roots.—Greyed-orange, nearest to RHS 165C.
  • Stems:
      • Branching habit.—Free, basally branching habit; numerous upright main stems, each producing numerous lateral branches. Main stems are typically unbranched, yet occasionally branched. Main stems — Quantity — 8 observed. Attitude — Erect; near vertical. Cross section — Circular. Diameter — Up to 18 mm, at the base of the most mature stems. Length — Longest stem is 122 cm long. Internode length — Varying from 10 to 15 mm. Color — Greyed-green, nearest to in between RHS 197B and 198A, with densely reticulated fissures; fissures are colored greyed-brown, nearest to RHS 199D. Texture — Glabrous and fissured; lenticels present. Lenticels are elliptical; approximately 1.0 mm long and 0.5 mm wide; lenticel color is greyed-brown, nearest to RHS 199D. Strength — Very strong. Lateral branches — Quantity — Lower lateral branches senescing with age; 18 to 22 lateral branches per main stem which are predominantly present on the upper half of main stems. Stem angle to main axis — In between 45 and 75 degrees. Cross-section — Circular. Diameter — 3 mm at the base. Length — Longest lateral branch is 15 cm long. Internode length — Varying from 10 to 15 mm. Color, juvenile — Yellow-green, RHS 144A. Color, mature — Nearest to a mixture of yellow-green and greyed-green; RHS 144A, 147B, 199B, and 199C. Texture — Smooth, glabrous; lenticels present. Lenticels are elliptical; approximately 1.0 mm long and 0.75 mm wide; color is greyed-brown, RHS 199D. Stem strength — Strong.
  • Foliage:
      • Arrangement.—Alternate.
      • Attachment.—Petiolate.
      • Division.—Simple.
      • Shape.—Elliptical.
      • Length.—67.25 mm, on average.
      • Width.—31.5 mm, on average.
      • Apex.—Acuminate.
      • Base.—Cuneate.
      • Margin.—Serrate; slightly undulated.
      • Aspect.—Nearly flat to slightly carinate.
      • Texture and pubescence, adaxial surface.—Glabrous and slightly rugose.
      • Texture and pubescence, abaxial surface.—Glabrous and slightly rugose.
      • Color.—Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to a mixture of RHS 144A, 151A, and 153A; suffused with greyed-orange, nearest to RHS 172A. Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface — Yellow-green, RHS 144B. Mature foliage, adaxial surface — Nearest to yellow-green, RHS 147A. Mature foliage, abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS 147B and 147C.
      • Venation.—Pattern — Pinnate. Vein color, adaxial surface — Yellow-green, RHS 144A. Vein color, abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS 144B and 145B.
      • Petiole.—Length — 11.5 mm, on average. Diameter — 1.625 mm, on average. Color, adaxial surface — Yellow-green, RHS 144C. Color, abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS 144B and 145B. Texture, adaxial and abaxial surfaces — Smooth; glabrous.
  • Inflorescence:
      • Type.—Solitary flowers occur at the leaf axils, with 1 to 3 flowers at each axil.
  • Flower bud:
      • Shape.—Globose to short ovoid.
      • Dimensions.—2.75 mm long and 2.75 mm in diameter, on average.
      • Color, upper and lower surfaces.—Yellow-green, RHS 145B, at the base and becoming green-white towards the distal end, RHS 157C.
  • Flower:
      • General description.—Single rotate flowers with a shallow cup shape.
      • Natural flowering season.—May through early June in Willow Creek, Calif.
      • Quantity.—1 to 3 flowers per axil, with approximately 6 to 9 flowers on shorter proximal lateral branches and 18 to 36 on longer distal lateral branches.
      • Lastingness.—At greater than 25 degrees Celsius, petals drop away in approximately 5 days; at 15 degrees Celsius, petals drop away in approximately 8 days.
      • Persistence.—Not persistent.
      • Fragrance.—Not fragrant.
      • Attitude.—Flowers held upright and slightly outward.
      • Dimensions.—Corolla is 6.0 mm in diameter and 3.0 mm deep.
      • Peduncle.—Dimensions — 3.0 mm long and 0.75 mm in diameter. Color — Yellow-green, RHS 144B. Texture — Smooth; glabrous. Strength — Medium.
      • Calyx.—Shape — Sepals fused at the base forming a cup, with 6 rotate sepal lobes. Diameter — 2.25 to 2.5 mm, measured from apex of one sepal lobe to the apex of an opposing sepal lobe. Depth — 1.25 mm deep. Quantity of sepal lobes — 6 sepal lobes. Apex, sepal lobes — Sepal lobes acute. Base — Fused. Margin — Entire; ciliate. Texture, inner and outer surfaces — Smooth and glabrous. Color when opening, inner surface — Yellow-green, a mixture of RHS 144D and 145C. Color when opening, outer surface — Yellow-green, a mixture of RHS 144D and 145C. Color when fully open, inner surface — Yellow-green, a mixture of RHS 144D and 145C. Color when fully open, outer surface — Yellow-green, a mixture of RHS 144D and 145C.
      • Petals.—Quantity of petals — 6 petals, fused at the base. Arrangement — Single rotate whorl. Petal lobe apex — Obtuse. Petal lobe margin — Entire; slightly undulated. Texture, inner and outer surfaces — Smooth; glabrous. Luster, inner and outer surfaces — Matte to very slightly glossy. Color when opening, inner surface — White, RHS 155D. Color when opening, outer surface — White, RHS 155D. Color when fully open, dorsal surface — Nearest to white, RHS 155D; petals are slightly translucent. Color when fully open, ventral surface — Nearest to white, RHS 155D; petals are slightly translucent. Petal color fading to — Not fading.
  • Reproductive organs:
      • Androecium.—Stamens — Quantity — 6. Position — Inserted; free. Attachment — One stamen attached at the base of each petal. Overall length — Approximately 1.20 mm long. Filament — Dimensions — 0.5 to 0.75 mm long and approximately 0.25 mm in diameter. Color — White, nearest to RHS 155D. Anthers — Attachment — Basifixed. Shape — Nearly globose, with a longitudinal split. Dimensions — 0.5 mm long and 0.5 mm wide. Color — White, nearest to RHS 155D. Pollen — None.
      • Gynoecium.—Pistils — Quantity — One; inferior to the corolla. Overall dimensions — Approximately 2.0 mm tall and 1.75 mm in diameter at the widest point. Stigma — Shape — Globular. Dimensions — 1.5 to 1.75 mm in diameter, and 0.5 mm to 0.75 mm tall. Color — Yellow-green, approximating to a combination of RHS 144C and 144D. Style — Shape — Relatively broad, and truncated. Dimensions — 0.5 to 0.75 mm tall and 0.5 to 0.75 mm in diameter. Color — Yellow-green, nearest to a mixture of RHS 144B, 151A, and 151B. Ovary — Position — Superior. Dimensions — 0.5 to 0.75 mm tall and 1.0 mm in diameter. Color — Yellow-green, RHS 144C.
  • Fruit and seed:
      • Fruit.—Type — Simple, indehiscent berry. Time to maturity — Very early to fruit, maturing usually near the first week of September in Willow Creek, Calif. Shape — Globose. Quantity — 1 to 3 berries per axil, with approximately 6 to 9 berries on shorter proximal lateral branches and 18 to 36 on longer distal lateral branches. Dimensions — Approximately 11 mm in diameter, and 10 mm tall. Texture, pubescence and luster — Smooth, glabrous and glossy. Color, mature fruit — Nearest to a combination of yellow-orange and orange; RHS 20A, 21A, 23B, 24A, 24B, and 25A; in subsequent weeks, berries age to a pale orange, nearest to a mixture of RHS 24B, 25B, and 26A.
      • Seed.—Quantity — Usually 4 per berry. Shape — Oblong, three-sided, with an ovate to deltoid outline. Dimensions — 3.5 to 4.0 mm long and 1.25 to 1.5 mm in diameter. Color — Greyed-orange, RHS 164C. Texture — Slightly rough.
  • Comparison with the parent plants: Plants of the new cultivar ‘C-11-46-77-23’ differ from the seed parent, Ilex verticillata ‘B-46-77’ (not patented), by the characteristics described in Chart 1. The pollen parent is unknown and therefore no comparison is available.

CHART 1 Characteristic ‘C-11-46-77-23’ ‘B-46-77’ General coloration of A mixture of yellow- Red. the berries. orange and orange. Productivity; number 9. 5. of harvestable main stems. Vase life; lastingness At least 10 weeks 6 weeks. of the berries. from harvest.
  • Comparison with the most similar Ilex verticillata cultivar known to the inventor: Plants of the new cultivar ‘C-11-46-77-23’ are most similar to the cultivar, ‘Golden Verboom’ (not patented). A comparison of ‘C-11-46-77-23 with Ilex ‘Golden Verboom’ is described in Chart 2.

CHART 2 Characteristic ‘C-11-46-77-23’ ‘Golden Verboom’ Timing of fruit Typically by the third Typically in the third maturation. week of August in week of September; Willow Creek, Cali- four weeks later than fornia; four weeks ‘C-11-46-77-23’. earlier than ‘Golden Verboom’. General coloration A mixture of yellow- Pale golden yellow. of the berries. orange and orange. Occurance of berries Berries present along Berries only present on lateral branches. the entire length of on approximately 50 lateral branches. percent of lateral branches; distalmost portion devoid of berries. Vase life; lastingness At least 10 weeks Approximately 3 to of the berries. from harvest. 4 weeks.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Ilex verticillata plant named ‘C-11-46-77-23’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.

Patent History
Patent number: PP34091
Type: Grant
Filed: Nov 9, 2021
Date of Patent: Apr 5, 2022
Inventor: Leendert DeVries (Arcata, CA)
Primary Examiner: Keith O. Robinson
Application Number: 17/300,791
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Holly (PLT/247)
International Classification: A01H 6/00 (20180101); A01H 5/02 (20180101);